Herne Bay: Town meeting axed as more than 100 queue outside

The meeting to discuss Kent County Council's Active Travel scheme was packed

A public meeting about the creation of a plaza and traffic calming measures in a seaside town was cancelled after five minutes as too many people attended.

More than 100 people queued outside the packed United Reform Church in Herne Bay on Tuesday to discuss Kent County Council's (KCC) Active Travel scheme.

The scheme to close part of the Central Parade to traffic was intended to promote cycling and walking.

Resident Simon Welsh said the plans had "broken the town in two".

The scheme will see a section of Herne Bay's Central Parade closed and enforce a 20mph zone with one way routes in the surrounding area.

However, residents have asked KCC to reconsider the £600,000 scheme.

Local Sallyann Baxter launched a petition against the plans, which now has more than 1,000 signatures.

KCC's cabinet member for highways said the implementation of the scheme "hasn't possibly helped"

Ms Baxter explained that she launched the petition after she had a near miss with a driver who "was coming in the opposite direction to where the one way system was".

KCC's cabinet member for highways and transport, Neil Baker, said a previous consultation attracted fewer than 100 responses and that the speed which the changes had been put in place was possibly too fast.

"The implementation hasn't possibly helped with signs being in what some people are saying are confusing places. People are turning into roads and not seeing the no entry signs," he said.

"I think all of the strength of feeling we are seeing here tonight does have to be considered."

KCC said it was "aware of concerns" about the scheme and that its officers "are listening" to the community.

KCC added it would reintroduce two-way traffic on Richmond Street, north of the High Street, from near the entrance of Texaco to maintain tanker access to the garage.

The venue and time for the postponed meeting has yet to be confirmed.

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